开卷有益

Pronunciation: kāi juàn yǒu yì Literal meaning: Opening a book is beneficial

Origin & Usage

The idiom 开卷有益 (kāi juàn yǒu yì) originates from the Northern Song Dynasty, associated with Emperor Taizong (宋太宗). He was known for his love of reading and emphasized the importance of books in governance. Despite his busy schedule, he committed to reading three volumes of the massive encyclopedia 《太平总类》 daily, believing that 'opening a book is beneficial.' This dedication to learning inspired his officials and became a cultural norm. The characters 开 (kāi, open), 卷 (juàn, book), 有 (yǒu, have), and 益 (yì, benefit) together convey the idea that reading always brings benefits. Today, this idiom encourages people to read diligently, emphasizing that knowledge gained from books enhances wisdom and understanding.

Examples

English: "Every time I read a new book, I learn something valuable."

Chinese: 每当我读一本新书，开卷有益。